What do you do following retirement from a successful career of 26 years in the Navy which began at the US Naval Academy? You enroll at the International Yacht Restoration School - otherwise known as IYRS School of Technology & Trades - in Newport, Rhode Island where you acquire a whole new set of skills in marine systems. You and your wife then buy a catamaran, sell everything you own, move your family aboard and go cruising.
That’s what Glenn Robbins and his family did. Glenn was a classmate of mine from high school who I’d not seen in over 30 years when, in the summer of 2019, he walked into our shop. Glenn and his family had arrived in Newport on their new-to-them Leopard 46 catamaran.
As you’ll hear from our talk, Glenn has an infectious level of enthusiasm and energy which he channeled into impressive levels of preparation and planning. He also offers us a dose of reality about living and cruising aboard - and it’s not all cocktails and sunsets.
He takes us on their journey from purchasing the boat in Florida and bringing it up to Newport. They then brought it down to Virginia where they joined the Salty Dog Rally to the Caribbean. After some time in the islands, they made the passage across to Panama and through the canal. They cruised on the western side of Panama, and then transited back through the canal where their ultimate destination was Florida. All of this takes place while a global pandemic was unfolding.
Glenn gives us a detailed picture on everything from solving problems and repairs, to the history of the places they visit and the excitement of fishing off a catamaran.
If you’re considering setting off on your boat for an extended period of time, I think this is a worthwhile listen.
You can learn more about their adventure by visiting www.svfearless.com
And for more information about IYRS School of Technology & Trades, visit www.iyrs.edu
Photo: courtesy of Glenn Robbins
Location: Panama Canal, Southbound in Mira Flores Locks 1 February 2021
Original music composed by: Nela Ruiz
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Glenn Robbins - Retired Navy Officer, IYRS Graduate and Offshore Sailor